Vitra Fan Wall Clock

Manufacturer: Vitra | Designer: George Nelson, 1949–1960

An Unfolding Form in Solid Cherry

The Fan Wall Clock is part of the Nelson clock family, conceived across a prolific period of design between 1949 and 1960. George Nelson's starting point was the observation that people read the time by the position of the hands, not by numerals, which made numbers on a clock face redundant. The result was a series of designs that treated the clock as a sculptural object first and a timepiece second.

The Fan is the only solid, non-spoked form in the Nelson clock collection: twelve interlocking, undulating tapered elements in solid American cherry radiate from a central hub, the form evoking an unfolding hand fan or a clean floral silhouette. Inlaid black metal hour pins and contrasting white steel hands complete the composition. Vitra has reissued the Nelson Clocks since 1999 as part of the Vitra Design Museum Collection, produced true to the original.

Specifications

• Dimensions: Ø38.5cm
• Materials: Solid American cherry, black metal hour pins, white steel hands
• Wood origin: American cherry (Prunus serotina) from the USA
• Movement: High-quality quartz; 1.5V battery included
• Collection: Vitra Design Museum Collection

Part of the Clocks collection and the Vitra Accessories collection.